Satellite Provision Seaton
4th March 2025
4th March 2025
Dear Parents/Carers,
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to all parents and carers who joined us, both online and in person, for our recent sessions regarding the Seaton Satellite project. Your involvement is incredibly valuable and plays a crucial role in shaping the success of our school community.
During our two, one-hour sessions we shared insights into the background of the Seaton Satellite project and addressed a number of queries raised by attendees. As requested, I have ensured that the notes from those meetings have been made available in the FAQ section of the Seaton Satellite Project. I encourage you to refer to this resource for further clarification and information.
I appreciate that, while there is much excitement surrounding this project, significant changes can also lead to concerns, anxieties, and a feeling of uncertainty. As I mentioned during our meetings, I regard this as a collaborative endeavour involving our entire school community.
Therefore, I am committed to holding further meetings prior to the building’s opening date, where I will share updates on our progress and continue to listen to your feedback.
It is important to note that just before the first parents’ meeting last Thursday, I was informed by the project lead that it is not feasible for the SSP to be completed in time for September 2025.
While this alleviates some of the time pressures I faced, it does now raise new questions regarding the potential relocation of Year 11 pupils later in the year. As I shared with parents on the day: each pupil’s presentation will be looked at individually and a decision will be made based on what is best for each child.
I will keep you informed of any developments as we progress and assure you that ongoing communication will remain a priority. Thank you once again for your engagement and support.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Pickering
Headteacher
12th February 2025
Dear Parents/Carers,
I am writing to share an exciting new development for our school, that will provide enhanced opportunities for our learners. From September 2025, we plan to open a satellite provision in Seaton, specifically designed for upper KS3 & KS4 semi-formal and formal pathway learners who have a destination of college for post-16 education.
This project has just been commissioned, but is the result of a long piece of work with the Local Authority that has been about improving the transition process for our learners.
We recognise that change can be daunting, and we want to assure you that this transition has been carefully planned with your child’s needs and future success at the forefront of our thinking. The new building (which will be the conversion of the original Seaton primary school) will offer a range of experiences and learning opportunities that we currently struggle to provide due to the remote nature of our existing site. We have listened to what post 16 colleges want /expect our pupils to be able to do and I believe the move to Seaton will improve this transition. These opportunities are aimed at further developing our students’ independence, life skills, and confidence in preparation for their next steps.
What will the new provision offer?
At the new site, your child will benefit from:
- Work experience placements to build employability skills.
- Public transport travel training to develop independence.
- Access to beach walks, parks, and outdoor gyms within walking distance.
- Opportunities to visit a wider range of places such as cafés, the library, shops and care homes; supporting community engagement and potential volunteer work.
- A dedicated communal space/common room designed to be age respectful for our young adults.
- A fully equipped kitchen where pupils will cook and share meals together, promoting social and independent living skills.
- An outdoor area free from our much younger pupils, creating a more suitable and comfortable environment for older learners that prepares them for college social time.
We understand that many of you will have questions about how this change will work in practice. Over the coming months, we will provide more detailed information, including opportunities to visit the new site, meet staff, and discuss individual transition plans for your child. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil feels secure, supported, and excited about the opportunities ahead.
I know you will have a lot of questions, so I intend to offer you some information sessions where I can detail our plans and have open discussions about our intentions.
Please answer this 1 question survey so we can offer sessions at a time to suit the majority.
We value your input and will work closely with you to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible for both you and your child.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to working together to make this a fantastic new chapter for our pupils.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Pickering
Headteacher
Frequently Asked Questions
Will transport be provided?
Yes in exactly the same way it is provided now.
Will they have physio?
All provision in pupils' EHCPs will be provided by Mill Water school.
Will they still be a Mill Water Child?
All pupils remain on roll at Mill Water. Seaton is a satellite provision under the same URN (unique reference number).
Will the school offering be the same as Mill Water?
Yes it will be part of Mill Water, same staff, uniform, timings etc. Transport has been costed and will remain the same as will things like FSM etc. will all be the same as it is currently at Mill Water.
As it is an older building this is different to the offering currently. This can affect students with sensory needs.
The planners working on the project are aware of this and asking about the pupils and their needs all the time, putting that at the focus of the project. They are talking about the sensory needs of the pupils including wellbeing spaces.
What is going to happen to the clinics that currently run at Mill Water?
This hasn’t been finalised yet and it will be what’s best for individual pupils. The clinics could remain at the current Mill Water site, and we drive a group of pupils over: unless that would upset the learner. If that was the case, we would find another way.
Will Sarah move over to Seaton?
No, Sarah will spend time at both sites, and as the school is now part of the SPT the school has a lot more back-office support and Guy Chappell (CEO) is present to support the school.
When will the Seaton provision be ready?
We have confirmation that it will not be ready for September 2025. Once we get closer to the time frame the school is expected to be ready, we will work out on an individual basis when moves will happen. The process will be very much an open conversation with updates, photos of buildings and plans etc. We know from previous school move experience, that some pupils manage better with a clear end and fresh start, while others will need a longer transition.
Are the pupils aware of Seaton?
No they are not. The plan is to speak to parents when necessary to know when is best to tell them.
What will the plan be for the community classroom in the summer?
Mill Water is also in the process of building an outdoor classroom at the current Mill Water site. The facilities within this classroom will be a space for all our families to get together and allow use of the grounds during holidays. This won’t be dependent on where the pupil attends.
Will the facilities be the same at the current Mill Water site?
It won’t be the exact same facilities; we will be moving over the resources that we need. If we find that the facilities do not meet the needs of the pupil, then we would think about whether the move would be the right option for that pupil.
Is there a minimum age requirement to attend the Seaton site?
Not in stone: the decision would be based on the pupil’s needs, the level of the learner and their post 16 pathway.
What is the expected numbers in each class?
We are expecting 3 classes of roughly 7/8 pupils as well as a communal space including a kitchenette leading out to a wellbeing space outside. These pupils will also be outside of school a lot more gaining skills within the community.
We are concerned about the extra commute some pupils will have.
This will be a factor we consider when deciding whether the move is right for the pupils. If this will be detrimental to the pupil’s wellbeing the move may not happen. Our pupils’ wellbeing is very important, and the benefits/negatives will be considered individually.
What is the plan for staffing the Seaton site?
We need to make sure the pupils and staff know each other well: the staff will not be all brand-new staff. We need to ensure the spread of experience and expertise is equitable across both sites. We already have some staff who have shown an interest in moving over to Seaton. With the current recruitment crisis and cost of living crisis however, it will be easier to recruit to the Seaton site.
Will the pupils who remain at Mill Water be affected with this work?
The focus on everyone will always be the day to day running of the school. And moving forward the offering at the current Mill Water site will never be less because of this provision opening. We do have proven experience of this, from when we moved the entire school community to the existing Bicton site.
Can pupils do part time at both locations?
No, however if we find there is lots to gain for a particular pupil at Seaton then we can review this.
What is the plan for 6th form - do you have one?
There is a very small number of pupils at Mill Water who are post 16 ages. These are the pupils whose needs are very complex; no maintained post 16 settings can meet their needs.
What will the curriculum look like for the pupils attending this provision?
Because the pupils are still pre 16 the curriculum will still include Maths, English etc, with an extension of being in the community. The pupils won’t be spending their entire school duration in the community.
Will the school site have a swimming pool?
The school will not have a pool on site. The learner that will be attending the Seaton provision would be accessing swimming outside of Mill Water. As there isn’t a swimming pool located in Seaton, pupils will continue to have the opportunity to access Sidmouth swimming pool.